Hojai: Rabindranath Tagore University, Hojai, today successfully held its third convocation with solemnity and cultural significance at an open-air stage in the Botanical Garden of the Srimanta Sankardev Campus (Rabindranath Tagore University Convocation). A total of 338 students received degrees, including 76 postgraduate students in Arts and Science streams and 262 undergraduate students in Arts, Science, and Commerce streams.
For academic excellence, three outstanding students were honoured with Gold Medals. Barsharani Darphang, a postgraduate student in the Department of Assamese, received the Gold Medal in Arts. Swati Dey, a postgraduate student in the Department of Chemistry, was awarded the Gold Medal in Science. Nazia Sultana, from the Department of Zoology, received the prestigious Gauri Priya Kataki Gold Medal for achieving the highest marks in Zoology.
A special highlight of the convocation was the conferment of the Lifetime Achievement Award on renowned tabla artist Mr. Paban Bordoloi by the university. In recognition of his outstanding contribution to music and culture, he was presented with a certificate of appreciation and a cheque of Rs. 1 lakh.
The event was attended by the university’s faculty, students, and staff, as well as officials from various departments of the Government of Assam and eminent educationalists and personalities from Hojai district and beyond. The Governor of Assam and Chancellor of the university, Shri Lakshman Prasad Acharya, congratulated the students and described the convocation as a bridge between years of disciplined effort and the vast possibilities of the future. He emphasized that the true purpose of education is not only intellectual growth but also the development of humility, sensitivity, integrity, and social responsibility. Referring to the ideals of Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore, Srimanta Sankardev, and Madhavdev, the Governor urged students to embrace ethical values, humanism, and a spirit of service. He praised the university for its rapid progress in academics, research, multidisciplinary studies, and implementation of the National Education Policy 2020, expressing confidence that Rabindranath Tagore University will soon gain national and global recognition. He reminded students that their degrees represent responsibility and encouraged them to contribute to nation-building across fields such as education, science, technology, culture, administration, and entrepreneurship.
In his address, Vice-Chancellor Prof. Manabendra Dutta Choudhury described the convocation as not merely a celebration of academic success, but a collective affirmation of knowledge, character, discipline, and service to society. He congratulated the graduates while acknowledging the support of parents, faculty, staff, university authorities, and the Government of Assam. Expressing gratitude to the Chancellor and Governor for their guidance and presence, as well as to special guests, Prof. Dutta Choudhury said that the graduates now become ambassadors of Rabindranath Tagore University and its values. He emphasized that a degree is not just a certificate but also a responsibility.
Prof. Dutta Choudhury also outlined the genesis and vision of Rabindranath Tagore University, established under Assam Act No. XXXIV of 2017. He explained that the university was founded to expand access to quality higher education and is inspired by the educational philosophy of Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore while being firmly rooted in the cultural heritage of Assam and the North-East. The university seeks to combine academic excellence with ethical values, a global outlook with local relevance, and focus on rural and underprivileged youth. He highlighted the university’s institutional expansion, including renaming the former Hojai College as the Srimanta Sankardev Campus for Arts and Commerce, relocating science departments to the Sir Jagadish Chandra Bose Campus, and establishing the Anandaram Barooah Campus at Jugijan. He also mentioned plans for the Dima Hasao campus and the subjects to be introduced there.
The Vice-Chancellor reviewed the university’s major achievements over the past year, including the inauguration of the Sir J. C. Bose Campus by the Hon’ble Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma, the launch of the B. Pharm programme, introduction of the integrated MBA programme, MA in Sociology, and Indian Knowledge Systems programmes, and the assurance of Rs. 50 crore for Phase-II infrastructure development by the Government of Assam. He also stressed the university’s commitment to maintaining a safe, disciplined, and drug-free campus under the “Nisha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan” and highlighted plans to organize a national conference on Multi-Drug Resistant Tuberculosis in February, in alignment with the goal of a TB-free India.
Special guest Prof. Amarjyoti Choudhury, former Vice-Chancellor of Gauhati University, described the convocation not merely as a formal event but as a celebration of aspiration, perseverance, and transformation. Reflecting on the geographical and cultural confluence of Hojai and Assam, he spoke about intellectual curiosity and India’s rich civilisational heritage. He highlighted the relevance of Rabindranath Tagore’s holistic vision of education in today’s era of artificial intelligence and rapid technological change, emphasizing creativity, empathy, and interdisciplinary thinking as essential skills. Prof. Choudhury praised the university’s alignment with the National Education Policy through new programmes, research initiatives, and skill-oriented courses, and encouraged graduates to nurture curiosity, resilience, and empathy to contribute meaningfully to society, the nation, and humanity at large.
A distinctive feature of this convocation was that, for the first time, it was organized in an open-air setting at the Botanical Garden of the Srimanta Sankardev Campus instead of a closed auditorium. Inspired by Rabindranath Tagore’s ideals, this unique arrangement drew high appreciation from the Hon’ble Governor of Assam, who praised the university authorities for holding such a dignified and meaningful academic ceremony in harmony with nature. This well-organized and profound event was truly an exceptional occasion.
On the evening of the convocation day, the same open-air stage at the Botanical Garden transformed into a vibrant cultural arena with the celebration of a North East Folk Festival. Students and teachers of Rabindranath Tagore University, along with invited students and teachers from outside institutions, presented a rich array of folk dances, traditional music, and cultural performances representing the diverse heritage of the North-Eastern region. The festival showcased the unity in diversity of the region and reflected the university’s commitment to nurturing cultural consciousness alongside academic excellence. The colourful performances, rooted in indigenous traditions and collective creativity, added a festive and soulful dimension to the convocation celebrations, leaving a lasting impression on the audience and dignitaries present.
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